DeVonta Smith

DeVonta Smith ( ; born November 14, 1998) is an American football wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, where he recorded over 1,800 yards with 23 touchdowns as a senior in 2020.

Smith was awarded the Heisman Trophy for his accomplishments alongside several other awards and honors. He was the first wide receiver to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard in 1991 and only the fourth overall. He also won two national championships while at Alabama prior to being selected by the Eagles tenth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

High school career

Smith attended Amite High Magnet School in his hometown of Amite City, Louisiana. He played basketball and football. He committed to the University of Alabama to play college football.

College career

2017 season

As a true freshman at Alabama in 2017, Smith had eight receptions for 160 yards and three touchdowns. In the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship against Georgia, Smith's only catch of the game was the game-winning touchdown reception in an overtime 26–23 victory.

2018 season

As a sophomore in 2018, he had 42 receptions for 693 yards and six touchdowns.

2019 season

Smith led the Crimson Tide in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, with 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns on 68 receptions. On September 28, Smith set career highs with 274 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 59–31 victory against Ole Miss.

After the season, his teammates Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy forfeited their remaining NCAA eligibility to enter the 2020 NFL Draft, where they ended up as first-round picks, but Smith decided to return to Alabama for his senior year.

2020 season

On November 21, 2020, Smith broke the all-time SEC career record for most receiving touchdowns, with two against Kentucky.

Smith became the first wide receiver to win the AP Player of the Year award since its inception in 1998. Smith was selected over finalists Kyle Trask, Trevor Lawrence and teammate Mac Jones to win the 2020 Heisman Trophy, becoming the first wide receiver to win the award since Desmond Howard in 1991 and only the fourth overall.

Several days later in the CFP National Championship Game against Ohio State, Smith set records for title game catches (12) and touchdown receptions (three), and also totaled 215 yards, despite leaving early in the third quarter with a hand injury. Alabama won, 52–24, their sixth title in 12 years, while Smith was named Offensive MVP of the championship game.

While playing for Alabama, Smith set more than seven school receiving records. Smith accepted an invitation for the 2021 Senior Bowl but did not play. His nickname at Alabama was the "Slim Reaper", given to him by his teammates due to his small frame and athletic ability.

Professional career

Smith was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the tenth overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, who had traded up two spots with the Dallas Cowboys to select him. He was the third wide receiver taken in the draft after Ja'Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle. Despite his impressive college statistics Smith fell in the draft due to concerns over his raw measurables and that his frame was considered too small to handle playing in the NFL.

He signed a four-year rookie contract, worth $20.1 million, on June 3, 2021.

2021

In week 1, against the Atlanta Falcons, Smith scored his first career touchdown on his very first catch in the NFL. Smith had a solid rookie season for the Eagles, as he recorded 64 receptions for 916 yards and 5 touchdowns. His 916 yards set the Eagles rookie record for most receiving yards in a single season. Like the rest of the Eagles offense, Smith struggled during the team's 31–15 loss in the Wild Card round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as he ended the game with 4 catches (on 11 targets) for 60 yards.

2022

In Week 3, against the Washington Commanders, Smith had eight catches for a career-high 169 yards and a touchdown in the 24-8 win.

NFL career statistics

Playoffs

See also

* List of NCAA major college football yearly receiving leaders
* List of NCAA Division I FBS career receiving touchdowns leaders

References

External links

*

Philadelphia Eagles profile

Alabama Crimson Tide profile
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, DeVonta
1998 births
Living people
African-American players of American football
Alabama Crimson Tide football players
All-American college football players
American football wide receivers
Heisman Trophy winners
Maxwell Award winners
People from Amite City, Louisiana
Philadelphia Eagles players
Players of American football from Louisiana